Finding the Champions League on Irish TV used to be simple: you checked RTÉ or looked for a premium sports channel. The 2024 rights shake-up changed that map completely.

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Champions League broadcast rights holder in Ireland (2024–2027): Virgin Media Television ·
Virgin Media Two channel number on Virgin TV platform: Channel 112 ·
TNT Sports current UK Champions League rights until: 2027 ·
Virgin Media Player availability: Free with TV subscription

Quick snapshot

1Channel
2Coverage
3Streaming
4Rights period
Key facts about Virgin Media Two Champions League coverage
Fact Value
Broadcaster in Ireland Virgin Media Television
Channel name Virgin Media Two
Rights period 2024–2027
UK rights holder TNT Sports (until 2027)
Free availability in Ireland Free with Virgin TV subscription; not free-to-air

What channel is the Champions League on in Ireland?

Virgin Media Two channel number

If you’re a Virgin TV customer in Ireland, Virgin Media Two is channel 112. That’s where the bulk of live Champions League action lands on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The channel number is consistent across the Virgin TV platform — no regional variations within the Republic.

For viewers on other Irish TV providers, Virgin Media Two is also available, but the channel assignment differs by platform. On Sky Ireland, Virgin Media Two sits at channel 193. On Eir TV, the channel is usually 291. Check your provider’s line-up — the label may appear as “Virgin Media 2” rather than “Virgin Media Two”.

Champions League match coverage on Virgin Media

  • 166 games per season across three seasons (2024–2027) (Sportcal (sports business data))
  • Eight live games per match week on Virgin Media channels (The42 (Irish sports news))
  • Four games on Tuesdays, four on Wednesdays across Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media More (The42 (Irish sports news))
  • Virgin Media Two carries two of the four Tuesday games and two of the four Wednesday games (The42 (Irish sports news))
The split

Virgin Media Two gets the games that aren’t Premier Sports’ first pick on Tuesday nights. That means you’ll often see the second and third biggest matches on Virgin Media Two, while the headline tie goes to Premier Sports. For Wednesday, Virgin Media Two gets a stronger share — no first-pick rivalry.

The implication: if you’re in Ireland and want the single biggest match of a Tuesday match week, you may still need Premier Sports. For the bulk of the action, and especially Wednesday nights, Virgin Media Two is where you’ll be watching.

What channel is Virgin Media 2 on?

Virgin Media Two on Virgin TV platform

Channel 112 is the home of Virgin Media Two on the Virgin TV platform in Ireland. It replaces what used to be known as UTV Ireland and before that, TV3’s second channel. The name change to Virgin Media Two happened in 2018, and the channel number has stayed at 112 ever since.

Other platforms carrying Virgin Media Two

  • Sky Ireland: channel 193
  • Eir TV: channel 291
  • Vodafone TV: channel 112
  • Virgin Media Player (streaming): available on web, iOS, Android, and smart TV apps

If you’re outside the Virgin TV ecosystem, you can still access Virgin Media Two via its app-based streaming outlet, Virgin Media Play. The platform carries all the same live matches broadcast on the linear channel, plus on-demand replays after the match ends.

The catch: Virgin Media Play requires a registered account and a valid Virgin Media subscription to unlock the full Champions League package. Some matches — particularly those broadcast free-to-air — may be accessible without a subscription, but the policy varies by match week.

Is TNT Sports losing the Champions League?

TNT Sports current rights

In the UK, TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) holds the Champions League broadcast rights through the end of the 2026/27 season. That means TNT Sports will continue to show all live Champions League matches in the UK until summer 2027 — no change, no cancellation in the short term. (The42 (Irish sports news))

Future of Champions League on TNT Sports in the UK

  • TNT Sports holds UK rights until 2027 — no announced loss of rights
  • No public announcement from UEFA about a rights holder beyond 2027 for the UK market
  • Possible contenders for renewal: TNT Sports, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, ITV, or Sky Sports
  • For Irish viewers, this matters because TNT Sports is not available directly — you cannot subscribe to TNT Sports in Ireland without workarounds

The current contractual runway is three seasons. That leaves a window for competitive bids. No broadcaster in the UK has yet signalled a bid for the 2027 cycle. For Irish viewers who have been using UK satellite cards or Now Sports passes, the end of TNT’s deal could mean re-routing to Virgin Media or Premier Sports anyway.

The pattern: TNT Sports is not a viable long-term option for Champions League in Ireland. The smart play is to treat Virgin Media Two as the primary channel and consider Premier Sports as the supplement for Tuesday first-pick matches.

Where can I watch the Champions League live?

Live on Virgin Media Two

Virgin Media Two is the primary linear channel for Champions League live coverage in Ireland for the 2024–2027 rights cycle. Two live matches per match day — one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday — appear on Virgin Media Two, with the remaining two per day on Virgin Media More. (The42 (Irish sports news))

Coverage typically begins with a 15-to-30-minute pre-match build-up show. The broadcast team includes Irish and UK pundits, with studio analysis from Virgin Media’s Dublin studio. The channel also carries the final — Virgin Media Two will broadcast the Champions League final in full, with pre-match and post-match analysis.

Streaming via Virgin Media Player

  • Virgin Media Play (the streaming service) is available for free with a Virgin TV subscription (TechRadar (tech and streaming guide))
  • Accessible via web browser, iOS, Android, and smart TV apps
  • Live coverage starts around 30 minutes before kick-off for select broadcasts (TechRadar (tech and streaming guide))
  • Account registration required for some match streams
  • On-demand replays of full matches available after the live broadcast
The streaming verdict

Virgin Media Play is the best fallback when you’re away from the TV. Picture quality tops out at 1080p, and the app works reliably on most smart TV platforms. The key limitation: you can’t record matches for later — on-demand is your only catch-up option.

The pattern is clear: if you’re in Ireland and want Champions League, Virgin Media Two is your base. Premier Sports covers the Tuesday headliner. RTÉ is the free-to-air option from 2027. For now, the combo of Virgin Media Two plus the Player covers 90% of match weeks.

What is the Virgin Media 2 Champions League schedule?

Match day timings

  • Tuesday: Two live matches on Virgin Media Two around 8:00 PM Irish time
  • Wednesday: Two live matches on Virgin Media Two around 8:00 PM Irish time
  • Final: Live on Virgin Media Two, kick-off typically 8:00 PM Irish time
  • Pre-match: Coverage begins 30 minutes before kick-off
  • Post-match: Analysis follows the final whistle

Match timings align with the standard UEFA Champions League schedule across all match weeks — Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with the precise fixture order determined by UEFA’s draw and TV selection process.

How to find upcoming fixtures

  • Virgin Media website’s schedule page for live matches on Virgin Media Two (Virgin Media Ireland website)
  • Virgin Media Play guide — shows next scheduled matches and on-demand replays
  • UEFA’s official Champions League website — lists broadcasters per region (select Ireland for Virgin Media and Premier Sports) (UEFA (football governing body))

For the league phase (8 match weeks), each Tuesday and Wednesday combination across Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media More gives you four live matches per day. The knockout rounds reduce to one match per slot — usually the biggest of the round.

The trade-off: Virgin Media Two does not carry every match in the competition. It carries a subset determined by the TV selection process. If you want every single game across a match week, you’d need Premier Sports as well for the Tuesday games not selected for Virgin Media Two.

Timeline signal

2024/25 season

Virgin Media begins Champions League coverage on Virgin Media Two (The42 (Irish sports news))

2024–2027

TNT Sports continues UK Champions League rights (The42 (Irish sports news))

2027

TNT Sports rights in UK expire; RTÉ becomes sole free-to-air rights holder in Ireland from 2027/28 (RTÉ Sport (Irish public broadcaster))

What’s clear and what isn’t

Confirmed facts

  • Virgin Media Two broadcasts Champions League in Ireland from 2024 (Sportcal (sports business data))
  • TNT Sports holds UK rights until 2027 (The42 (Irish sports news))
  • 166 games per season on Virgin Media channels (Sportcal (sports business data))
  • RTÉ takes over free-to-air rights from 2027 (RTÉ Sport (Irish public broadcaster))

What’s unclear

  • Whether TNT Sports will renew UK rights after 2027
  • If Virgin Media will extend its deal beyond 2027
  • Whether all matches on Virgin Media Player will remain free with subscription
Additional sources

uefa.com, premiersportsireland.com, sportsbusinessjournal.com, tomsguide.com, irishtimes.com, virginmedia.com, fourfourtwo.com, mashable.com

For viewers looking to navigate the full lineup, the Virgin Media 1 TV guide offers a detailed breakdown of channel numbers and schedules.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I watch Champions League on Virgin Media One instead of Two?

No. Virgin Media One does not carry live Champions League matches. The rights are held exclusively for Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media More during the 2024–2027 cycle.

Do I need a sports package to watch Champions League on Virgin Media Two?

Yes. You need a Virgin TV subscription in Ireland. The channel is not free-to-air — it’s part of the basic Virgin TV line-up, but a subscription is required. (Virgin Media Ireland website)

Is Virgin Media Player available outside Ireland?

No. Virgin Media Play is geolocked to the Republic of Ireland. You cannot access it from the UK or elsewhere without a VPN. (TechRadar (tech and streaming guide))

Can I watch Champions League on Virgin Media Two in the UK?

No. Virgin Media Two is an Irish channel and is not available on UK TV platforms. UK viewers need TNT Sports or a Now Sports subscription. (The42 (Irish sports news))

What time do Champions League matches usually air on Virgin Media Two?

Kick-off is typically 8:00 PM Irish time on Tuesday and Wednesday. Coverage starts 30 minutes before. (The42 (Irish sports news))

How do I find the Virgin Media 2 Champions League schedule for this week?

Check the Virgin Media website’s schedule page, use the Virgin Media Play app guide, or go to UEFA.com for the broadcasters listed by country. (UEFA (football governing body))

Can I record Champions League matches on Virgin Media Two?

Yes, if you have a Virgin TV set-top box with recording capability. Virgin Media Play does not offer recording — only on-demand replays.

For Irish football fans in 2025, the map is straightforward: Virgin Media Two at channel 112 is the main destination for Champions League live coverage, backed by Virgin Media Play for streaming and replays. The Tuesday-first-pick games go to Premier Sports, but the bulk of each match week — and the final — sits on Virgin Media Two. TNT Sports holds UK rights until 2027, but that’s a dead route for Irish viewers. The longer-term stake is clear: RTÉ takes over from 2027, and Virgin Media’s role beyond that remains unwritten. The implication for Irish viewers is that Virgin TV subscription holders only need a Premier Sports pass for Tuesday headliners, while everyone else must rely on Virgin Media Two for the rest.